The Hobbit – Hobbit Movie News and Rumors | TheOneRing.net™http://www.theonering.net/torwp
Forged by and for fans of J.R.R. TolkienMon, 05 Dec 2016 15:49:48 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.121870047Today in Middle-earth, November 23http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/23/30638-today-in-middle-earth-november-23/
Wed, 23 Nov 2016 06:00:09 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=30638The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on November 23:

Battle of the Five Armies – 2941 (1341)

1. Battle of the Five Armies

(referencing Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)

“Runners came in to report that a host of dwarves had appeared round the eastern spur of the Mountain and was now hastening to Dale. Dain had come.

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 263-270 The Hobbit)

]]>30638Happy birthday Christopher Tolkien!http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/21/102528-happy-birthday-christopher-tolkien/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/21/102528-happy-birthday-christopher-tolkien/#respondTue, 22 Nov 2016 00:01:35 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102528TheOneRing.net would like to wish a very happy 92nd birthday to Christopher Tolkien. Thanks to Christopher, Tolkien fans around the world have been able to enjoy the works of his father, J.R.R. Tolkien, beyond what lies between the covers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The devotion, integrity, and high standards he’s exhibited in bringing us more of his father’s writings are recognized and appreciated by our staff and our readers. Many happy returns of the day!
]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/21/102528-happy-birthday-christopher-tolkien/feed/0102528Hollywood Reporter: James Strong to Direct J.R.R. Tolkien Biopic ‘Middle Earth’http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102500-hollywood-reporter-james-strong-to-direct-j-r-r-tolkien-biopic-middle-earth/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102500-hollywood-reporter-james-strong-to-direct-j-r-r-tolkien-biopic-middle-earth/#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 20:39:15 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102500Exciting news for Tolkien fans today as we get further details on the upcoming Tolkien biopic from the Hollywood Reporter. Based on the HR headline, the title is ‘Middle Earth.’ Is that a bit of Hollywood contextual word play, or do they not realize the proper spelling would be Middle-earth? Time will tell.

The film will be directed by James Strong (Hey, he’s directed some Doctor Who episodes) and produced by LOTR trilogy alumni Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. The script will be written by Angus Fletcher.

Are you excited for this new film? Scared as to what Hollywood might ‘change’ in an already extraordinary life story? Sound off in the comments below!

Penned by Angus Fletcher, the film will chart the tumultuous events that inspired him to pen ‘Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogies.

James Strong is heading to Middle Earth.

The British director of Broadchurch, Gracepoint and Downton Abbey will helm the biopic about author J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The film — featuring a script by Angus Fletcher, based on six years of interviews and archival research — will chart the tumultuous events that inspired him to pen Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies: when war broke out in 1914, disrupting his Oxford life with his wife Edith Bratt, Tolkien embarked on four years of battle, hardship, and new friendships, which served to shape his imagination and start him on the path to Middle Earth.

]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102500-hollywood-reporter-james-strong-to-direct-j-r-r-tolkien-biopic-middle-earth/feed/0102500New Tolkien biopic movie in the works with some producers from LOTRhttp://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102499-new-tolkien-biopic-movie-in-the-works-with-some-producers-from-lotr/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102499-new-tolkien-biopic-movie-in-the-works-with-some-producers-from-lotr/#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 20:26:26 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102499

It looks like audiences will get to see a film about the origins of Middle-earth in a new film called “Middle Earth.” More on the name in a moment.

The Hollywood Reporter announced this morning the film will chart “the tumultuous events” that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write “The Hobbit,” and “The Lord of the Rings,” trilogy. (Actually the article said “trilogies,” but there is only one trilogy, as you know.) It is to be directed by James Strong who might be most easily recognizable as the director of two episodes of “Downton Abbey,” with the films “United,” with episodes of “Dr. Who,” as well.

The film also pairs two of the men who played a big role in Peter Jackson’s LOTR trilogy with New Line Cinema Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. They were the gentlemen who helped get those movies made when most of Hollywood wouldn’t touch them. Later they had a falling out with Jackson and eventually New Line collapsed and was swallowed by Warner Bros.

Shaye and Lynee will produce the new film through their Unique Features with Rachael Horovitz. Strong is currently directing the AMC/ITV miniseries “Liar,” according to the article.

Now, about that name. J.R.R. Tolkien distinctly named his created world “Middle-earth” not “Middle Earth.” If you think that isn’t a big deal, remember he was a professor of languages and literature who worked on the dictionary and created the whole thing in the first place because he was a linguist who was inventing languages.

So while it is easy to forgive a fan using Middle-earth as two words with capital letters, not so much in movie titles. Warner Bros., for example, while taking creative license with “The Hobbit,” got it right virtually every, single, time. To Tolkien, the subject of the biography, language matters.

And, to reverse things, nobody would excuse a title about the place “San-francisco” and not find it odd.

Making a biography about Tolkien, supposedly telling the story of his life, and getting that detail wrong in the title could be a bad sign.

On the other hand, this could be just a simple oversight by The Hollywood Reporter writer, but hey, the story also included a picture of Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins instead a picture of, you know, The Professor, so a mistake sounds pretty reasonable. That and stating that Tolkien had two trilogies makes it seem as least possible as a writer’s error. However, most of the info sounds like it was taken from a press release, which would prominently feature a title.

In any case, fans have more Tolkien and more about the creation of Middle-earth to look forward to.

If you haven’t read “J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography,” by Humpfrey Carpenter, it is essential. And, “Tolkien and the Great War,” by John Garth, is also excellent and covers the ground the film will attempt to cover.

]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102499-new-tolkien-biopic-movie-in-the-works-with-some-producers-from-lotr/feed/0102499New York ComicCon – Photo Galleryhttp://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102465-new-york-comiccon-photo-gallery/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/07/102465-new-york-comiccon-photo-gallery/#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 15:45:46 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102465One month on from New York ComicCon, we thought readers might enjoy a gallery of images from the event – to see the fun which unfolded in the Big Apple, and perhaps to reminisce, if you were there!

Big thanks to all who came and visited TORn’s booth this year. The convention was bigger than ever, and fighting one’s way around the show floor is no easy feat! It is always a delight to meet with fellow fans, and we loved chatting with all who came by – or who joined us at the ‘Fan Meet-up’ on Saturday night. And of course it was a joy to hang out with everyone who joined us on the Thursday evening for our annual ‘Ringers take Manhattan’ party. Special thanks to Graham McTavish for coming along, and being a true gent to all the partygoers.

Before we get to the photos, we do want to say BIG THANKS once again to all our supporters who made it possible for TheOneRing.net to be at New York ComicCon, and to bring goodies galore to attendees:

A month into its run (which began with a period of previews, followed by press night and opening later in October), Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Love, Love, Lovehas six weeks to go before the limited run ends on December 18th. The production has been gaining strong reviews – here’s a glowing one from The New York Times. TORn’s own review comes from staffer greendragon, who saw the production early in its run, before the press night.

Mike Bartlett’s play starts from an interesting point, exploring the notion that the Baby Boomer generation’s quest (during their youth in the Sixties) for personal freedom led them to grow into selfish, narcissistic adults. Richard Armitage and Amy Ryan play Kenneth and Sandra, a couple who meet in the Sixties (Act 1, most of which, Mr Armitage’s fans will be pleased to know, he spends shirtless…) We then encounter the pair again in the Nineties, when they are parents to teenage children; and finally, Act 3 shows us the now-divorced Sandra and Kenneth in retirement, their children grown and troubled.

Mr Armitage and Ms Ryan are thus tasked with playing three different ages through the course of the show, and the actors playing their children (Zoe Kazan and Ben Rosenfield) of course age between Acts 2 and 3. Not everyone manages this with equal degrees of success. Mr Armitage is more convincing as a youthful college student than Ms Ryan; her strongest Act is the middle one, when she is a storming, ‘work hard, play hard’ career woman, who serves birthday cake with astonishing aggression!

The sets for the three acts are excellent, creating not only the different periods, but also the improving circumstances of Kenneth and Sandra as they make their way in the world, heading towards comfortable retirement. The atmosphere of the show is set before the curtain rises, with Sixties music playing in the auditorium; and the intimate theatre allows the audience to be drawn into the action throughout the play. The roles are generally well played, despite the difficulties of portraying varying ages. Alex Hurt, who plays Kenneth’s brother Henry (sadly only seen in Act 1), is particularly compelling.

The problem with the play is that the central characters are deeply unsympathetic. Kenneth and Sandra are self-involved, driven people who care about no-one except themselves – not even their own children. We don’t see any other side or depth to them; they persist in their blind narcissism no matter what life throws at them. The piece would be more satisfying if it explored fully the questions it poses. Is it the automatic destiny of each generation do better than the one before? Have the children of the Baby Boomers been let down by their parents’ generation? We see our antiheroes’ daughter, Rose, opting for a ‘straitlaced’ life, in a reaction against her parents’ smoking and drinking; and yet her seeming virtue is rewarded with deep unhappiness. Is it better to let one’s hair down; does a little of what you fancy (or a lot, in Kenneth and Sandra’s case) do you good? Rose follows her dreams as her career path, and ultimately feels that was a huge mistake; yet her parents seem to have spent their lives doing what they enjoy, and have come out on top. What should we make of all this?

These are interesting, thought-provoking scenarios, yet Mike Bartlett’s play doesn’t really explore them. We are presented with a couple who are rather caricatures of a generation, and neither we nor they are permitted to look further into the issues they encounter. Instead, the play glosses over them, just as Kenneth and Sandra blank out any problems in their own lives.

If this superficiality in the text makes for a rather unfulfilling evening at the theatre, still Love, Love, Love has plenty to make up for that. Well acted, staged and costumed, and expertly directed by Michael Mayer, it is an enjoyable and atmospheric comedy with a biting, dark centre. Catch it if you can! – it’s on at the Laura Pels Theatre, at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre in Manhattan, until December 18. You can purchase tickets here.

]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/06/102439-still-six-weeks-remaining-to-see-richard-armitage-in-love-love-love-off-broadway/feed/0102439Today in Middle-earth, November 3http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/11/03/30447-today-in-middle-earth-november-3/
Thu, 03 Nov 2016 06:00:59 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=30447The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on November 3,

Battle of Bywater, and Passing of Saruman. End of the War of the Ring (1419)

November 3, 3019 (S.R. 1419)

1. Battle of Bywater, and Passing of Saruman. End of the War of the Ring.

(from the appendices)

“…a messenger from the Tookland rode in.He was in high spirits. ‘The Thain has raised all our country,’ he said, ‘and the news is going like fire all ways.…”

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 363-371 RotK)

]]>30447Peter Jackson announces his next movie project!http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/26/102442-peter-jackson-announces-his-next-movie-project/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/26/102442-peter-jackson-announces-his-next-movie-project/#respondWed, 26 Oct 2016 18:46:28 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102442Peter Jackson made a recent announcement on his facebook page that his next movie project will be adapting Philip Reeve’s book, Mortal Engines. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic future where cities move about on wheels, devouring smaller cities for their resources. The book is the first in a series of four books, presenting the opportunity for ‘sequels’ down the road.

The project will bring together many of the crew who worked on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises, including Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens who adapted the Mortal Engines script. The movie will be directed by Christian Rivers, the VFX master of The Hobbit. From Deadline Hollywood:

“Christian is one of my closest collaborators,” says Jackson in a statement. “The combination of emotion and jaw-dropping visuals in Mortal Engines makes this the perfect movie for his move into feature directing. What Christian intends to do with Philip Reeve’s terrific story is going to result in an original and spectacular movie. I wish I could see it tomorrow!”

The text of PJ’s facbook post is below

OUR NEXT MOVIE!

Hi Folks,

It’s been a quiet few months, but I’m very happy to tell you that our next project is now underway.

WingNut Films be producing a feature film based on Philip Reeve’s book Mortal Engines, to be directed by Christian Rivers. The script has been written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and myself.

Some of you may recall that Christian was going to direct the Dambusters a few years back. Since then he’s kept himself busy, making short films, and directing Second Units on The Hobbit and Pete’s Dragon.

Our involvement in Mortal Engines actually pre-dates Dambusters (which is still happening) – Christian actually worked on Mortal Engines previs way back in 2009. It’s very exciting to finally get it underway!

We’ve had the rights to Philip’s book series for several years, but have had to wait for the right time to make it.

If you haven’t read the books, you should. They present a stunning look into the future, when all of Earth’s major cities are now mounted on wheels, roaming across the landscape as massive “Traction Cities”. Our society has build itself on the principals of Municipal Darwinism – this basically involves the bigger cities hunting down, and consuming, the smaller ones. And that’s only the backdrop to an original and emotional personal story.

Philip Reeve has created a range of intriguing characters, following their adventures in our strange future world through four books – “Mortal Engines”, “Predator’s Gold”, “Infernal Devices” and “A Darkling Plain”.

The moment we read these novels, we knew what exciting movies they’d make. I literally can’t wait to see them!

The movie will be financed by MRC and Universal, and shooting will get underway next March, in New Zealand. Producers Zane Weiner and Amanda Walker, who both worked on the Hobbit, will be spearheading the NZ based team, along with Deborah Forte in the US.

No casting to announce yet, but Weta Workshop and Weta Digital are both onboard.

With the wheels now rolling on Mortal Engines, I’ll bring you a lot of news and sneak peeks at what we’re doing over the coming months.

Cheers,

Peter J

]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/26/102442-peter-jackson-announces-his-next-movie-project/feed/0102442Today in Middle-earth, October 23http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/23/30441-today-in-middle-earth-november-1/
Sun, 23 Oct 2016 06:00:07 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=30441The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on October 23:

(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth) “Dragons may not have much real use for all their wealth, but they know it to an ounce as a rule, especially after long possession; and Smaug was no exception.
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 207-209 The Hobbit)

2. Bilbo returns to Smaug’s chamber in the afternoon.
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
“Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, almost dead and dark, with scarcely a snore more than a whiff of unseen steam, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 212-218 The Hobbit)

3. Smaug smashes the secret door.
(determined from text)
“…[Bilbo] grew ever more uneasy. “Shut the door!” he begged them. “I fear that dragon in my marrow. I like this silence far less than the uproar of last night…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 221-222 The Hobbit)

4. Smaug attacks Lake-town.
(determined from text)
“… there was still a company of archers that held their ground among the burning houses. Their captain was Bard, grim-voiced and grim-faced…
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 235-238 The Hobbit)

5. Lake-town in the aftermath.
(determined from text)
“…down the wind came the voices of the people of Esgaroth lamenting their lost town and goods and ruined houses…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 238-240 The Hobbit)

October 23, 3018 (S.R. 1418)1. Elrond’s third day in his battle to save Frodo.
(not from the appendices)
“Elrond is a master of healing, but the weapons of our Enemy are deadly….”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 292 FotR)

]]>30441Today in Middle-earth, October 20http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/20/30306-today-in-middle-earth-october-20/
Thu, 20 Oct 2016 06:00:07 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=30306The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on October 20:

Bilbo and the Dwarves think of what to do next at the Hidden Door (1341)

Escape across the Ford of Bruinen (1418)

Gandalf and Elrond perceive the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen (1418)

Frodo is brought to Rivendell (1418)

Return of the King is published (1955)

Oct 20-29, 2941 (S.R. 1341)

1. Bilbo and the Dwarves think of what to do next at the Hidden Door.

(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)

“A large grey stone lay in the centre of the grass and he stared moodily at it or watched the great snails.”

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 199 The Hobbit)

October 20, 3018 (S.R. 1418)

1. Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.

(from the appendices)

“‘Our peril will be greatest just ere we reach the river,’ said Glorfindel; ‘for my heart warns me that the pursuit is now swift behind us, and other danger may be waiting by the Ford….’

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383-385 FotR)

2. Gandalf and Elrond perceive the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen.

(not from the appendices-no text & text)

“‘The river of this valley is under his power, and it will rise in anger when he has great need to bar the Ford.”

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 296 FotR)

3. Frodo is brought to Rivendell.

(not from the appendices)

“‘The Elves brought you from the Ford on the night of the twentieth, and that is where you lost count….'”

(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 292 FotR)

]]>30306Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop’s The Witch-King at Dol Guldurhttp://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/16/102395-collecting-the-precious-weta-workshops-the-witch-king-at-dol-guldur/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/16/102395-collecting-the-precious-weta-workshops-the-witch-king-at-dol-guldur/#respondMon, 17 Oct 2016 00:38:43 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102395Previewed during Comic-Con 2016 at the Weta Cave, our friends at Weta Workshop are proud to announce their newest statue for The Hobbit Trilogy line of statues. Joining the collections of many collectors world-wide is none other than The Witch-King as we saw him at Dol Guldur during The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. This fantastic statue is a super dynamic pose of The Witch-King looking to take out a member of The White Council. Collectors, you can add this to your collection for $349 and I would do so quickly as the edition size of this one comes in at only 750 pieces. The expected delivery of this one is scheduled for December of this year.
]]>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/16/102395-collecting-the-precious-weta-workshops-the-witch-king-at-dol-guldur/feed/0102395Stephen Hunter’s ‘Actors Talk About Themselves’ with Graham McTavishhttp://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/11/102377-stephen-hunters-actors-talk-about-themselves-with-graham-mctavish/
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2016/10/11/102377-stephen-hunters-actors-talk-about-themselves-with-graham-mctavish/#respondWed, 12 Oct 2016 02:14:17 +0000http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=102377If you weren’t able to join us at our ‘Ringers Take Manhattan’ party last week, then you missed the chance to party with Graham McTavish, who joined us towards the end of the evening. We’ll be bringing you a full write up from New York ComicCon in the next day or so; in the meantime, as a consolation, here’s your chance to spend some time enjoying the company of not only McTavish, but also the fabulous Stephen Hunter.

As you know from our interview with him in September, Stephen is creating a series of video interviews called ‘Actors Talk About Themselves’. Having already spoken with fellow dwarves Nori and Oin (aka cast members Jed Brophy and John Callen), Dwalin is the latest interviewee. The two gents are good friends and the interview is as funny and irreverent as you might expect. Enjoy! We’re looking forward to seeing Stephen’s next interview.